Preci between Nature Trails and Cultural History

Preci lies within Monti Sibillini National Park. The municipality of Preci includes valuable habitats belonging to the Natura 2000 network, including the Monti Sibillini Special Protection Area and the Sites of Community Importance Valle Campiano and Valnerina. This combination of nature and history makes Preci an interesting destination for travellers who want to combine both.

Hiking Trails for Different Levels of Ability

The Sentiero Natura di Preci is a 3.7 km hiking trail with a walking time of two hours and difficulty level T (Tourist). It follows in the footsteps of hermits, monks and heretics who chose these places for an ascetic life because of their remoteness and tranquillity. The “La Natura Sulla Porta Di Casa” hiking trail runs from Preci via Sacovescio and Collescille back to Preci; it is 13.4 km long, takes 4 hours and 10 minutes, and has difficulty level E (Hiking Trail). The road cycling route from Norcia to Castelluccio via Forca di Gualdo also initially climbs towards Forca d'Ancarano before descending towards Preci.

Natural Environment and Mountain Landscape

Along the dense network of hiking trails in the Valle Castoriana, you can find an exceptional variety of wild-growing orchids. Monte Plaie is located in the immediate vicinity of Preci; Monte Sella, Monte Cardosa and Monte Fema are located in the area around Preci.

Churches and Historic Centre

The historic centre of Preci includes a 14th-century castle that has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The Church of Santa Caterina has a Gothic portal with Romanesque decorative elements on the façade. The Church of Santa Maria preserves heavily fragmented frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Below the town of Preci, at Campiano, stands the Church of Madonna della Peschiera, built in 1600. Next to it, a spring feeds basins that have been used for trout farming since the 17th century. The former Church of Santa Caterina houses the Museo della scuola chirurgica preciana.

Sant'Eutizio and Preci's Surgical Tradition

The Benedictine Abbey of Sant'Eutizio has origins dating back to the 5th century. Its abbey church was rebuilt in the Romanesque style between the 12th and 13th centuries; the Romanesque portal is surmounted by a lunette bearing an inscription dated 1190.

From the 10th to the 16th century, the Scuola Chirurgica Preciana trained lay surgeons whose expertise was sought throughout Europe. It originated with Benedictine monks from Sant'Eutizio Abbey, who practised and taught medicine in the 10th century. Surgeons from Preci became known throughout Europe for treating cataracts and performing hernia operations.

The wider area around Preci is home to Rocca di Arquata Castle, the Pinacoteca Fortunato Duranti, the Esposizione archeologica sui plestini umbri and the Palazzo delle Logge. When choosing a hotel, you can match these natural and cultural themes with your preferred travel pace.

More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also explore Civitella Benazzone, Triponzo, Gubbio, Onelli, Parnacciano, Fiore, Saragano and Armenzano.

For the main travel overview: Perugia.